Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 30, 2011

Fifteen hundred pounds of net were pulled off Kamilo Beach near South Point
on just one workday in January by volunteers for the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund.

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO says that jobs and education are two of her highest priorities. In a statement announcing the committees on which she is serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Hirono said she particularly feels fortunate to retain membership on the Education and Workforce committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Education is critical to developing the workforce Hawai’i needs to create a more diversified and resilient economy. Investments in transportation and infrastructure provide good jobs, improve the quality of life for our citizens and strengthen our economy,” said the congresswoman. 

Mazie Hirono

     She also serves on the Subcommittee on early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, which includes Native Hawaiian education, Head Start, school nutrition, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and vocational education. 

     Hirono serves on the Subcommittee on Workforce Protection, which covers wages and hours of workers, workers’ compensation and family and medical leave.
     One of her subcommittees covers the Federal Aid Highway program, public transit, highway safety and commercial motor carriers. Another covers aviation, airports, aviation noise and airline safety. The Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Committee covers ports, passenger vessels and international maritime activities.

NEED HELP WITH TAXES? The Ka`u Federal Credit Union is hosting the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Volunteer tax preparers are Rollie, Lali and Cherish Jara and Catherine Sy. Call the credit union at 929-7334, extension 205 for an appointment. 

FIFTEEN HUNDRED pounds of net were pulled off Kamilo Beach near South Point on just one workday in January by volunteers for the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. In addition to nets, volunteers found computer circuit boards, a scuba cylinder, motorcycle helmet, liquor bottles from Japan and Scotland, an old tube television and car tires. The 33 volunteers also pulled out 66 large garbage bags of debris from the beach. The next Ka`u Coast cleanup days are April 2 and June 4. The Wildlife Fund is also starting an anchialine pond restoration project. To help out, call Megan McWhite Lamson at 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

FOUR MEMBERS OF OCEAN VIEW BOXING Club were victorious last night in a Boxing Smoker Tourney. Female boxer Staysha Ault defeated Jaime Pagan of AP Boxing. Keliʻi Ka-Ne beat Andy Marzon, as did Justin Wirtz over Jessie Lorenzo, of Galiza Boxing Club. Thor Soder defeated Galiza Boxing Club's Frank Lorenzo. Saul Fukunaga, of Yashua Boxing Club, beat OV Boxing Club's Kainakoa Broadfoot.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL battled for a berth to the state competition Friday and Saturday. On Friday, against number one seed HPA, the Trojans lost. The Ka Makani pulled ahead quickly in the first half. In the second half Ka`u picked up steam to close the point gap, but it was not enough. Final score was 50-40, HPA. The Trojans moved on to fight for the second state tourney spot yesterday versus Honoka`a. The Trojans struggled with their shooting, making just 13 of 60 attempts, while the Dragons were on fire, spreading their scoring among 11 of 12 players. Finals score 59-42, Honoka`a. For the Trojans, sophomore Janessa Jara led the scoring with nine points. Seniors Jaeneise Cuison and Amery Silva each scored eight.

THE KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS soccer team will be going to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. following their win over Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science last Thursday.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY of Volcano Awareness Month. Hikes begin today at 1 p.m. at the Kilauea Iki Overlook parking lot on Crater Rim Drive, and tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Mauna Ulu parking lot on Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 29, 2011

Unroasted Ka`u Coffee headed for out-of-state markets would be inspected locally
if a bill introduced by Sen. Gil Kahele passes in the Legislature.

 GIL KAHELE HAS INTRODUCED bills for capital improvements and sustainability in his first month as Ka`u’s new senator. Following up on work initiated by Russell Kokubun when Kokubun held the District Two Senate seat, Kahele introduced House Bill 282 for capital improvement projects. They include:
     * $2.5 million for the Ka`u irrigation system, which restores old plantation tunnels and distribution of agricultural water between Pahala and Na`alehu;
     *$6.2 million for seven new classrooms at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences;
     *$10 million for a new home for Na`alehu Elementary and Intermediate School administration and library;
     *$6 million for the University of Hawai`i Komohana Agriculture Complex; and
     * $250,000 each for the U.H. ag research stations at Mealani and Volcano.
     Kahele also introduced Senate Bill 283 to implement the recommendations of the Hawai`i 2050 Plan to guide future long-range sustainability planning of the state. To guide state planning, the bill states:

     “Hawai`i residents desire a balance between economic, cultural, and environmental concerns and priorities. Thus, sustainability in Hawai`i shall be established as the overall theme and guiding principles of sustainability policy.”
     It lists the following guiding principles:
     “To balance economic, social, community, and environmental priorities;
     “To respect and live within the natural resources and limits of the state;
     “ To achieve a diversified and dynamic economy;
     “ To honor the host culture;
     “To make decisions based on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations;
     “To observe the principles of the ahupua`a system to guide resource management decisions; and
     “To emphasize that everyone, including individuals, families, communities, businesses, and government, has the responsibility for achieving a sustainable Hawai`i.”
     The Senate bill also establishes five major goals to achieve a preferred future by the year 2050:
     “A way of life in which living sustainably is a part of daily practice in Hawai`i;
     “A diversified and globally competitive economy that will enable residents to live, work, and play meaningfully in Hawai`i;
     “Responsible and respectful use, replenishment, and preservation of the State’s natural resources for future generations;
     “ A community that is strong, healthy, vibrant, and nurturing, thus providing safety nets for those in need; and
     “ An environment where Kanaka Maoli and island cultures and values thrive and are perpetuated.”

Ka`u's Senator Gil Kahele

SENATE BILL 286, WHICH PROVIDES agricultural commodity inspectors in remote areas like Ka`u, was also introduced by Kahele. This is seen as particularly important to the Ka`u Coffee farmers who must drive their out-of-state green bean shipments to Kona for certification. Ka`u Coffee farmers Lorie Obra and Efren Abellera testified for this bill in Honolulu. 

OTHER BILLS INTRODUCED BY KAHELE include a measure to have non-violent inmates working on restoration of historic sites selected by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Another would provide telehealth services coverage for Medicaid and Quest patients using Kona Hospital’s medical van program.

IN SPORTS, the Ka`u Trojans boys soccer won their last season game versus Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science, 2-0, to advance to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. Brian Simmons scored first, with Moses Espaniola adding the second goal off an assist from Derrick Medeiros-Garo. Goalie Tyler Atwood shut out the HAAS defense.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 28, 2011

Hele-On Bus will soon see fees between 50 cents and a dollar per ride,
but free to students and kupuna.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI became the first mayor on this island to give a state of the county address. Held yesterday in both Kona and Hilo, the address reviewed his experience with tough times and cutting the county budget. When he took office the budget was $403 million a year but has been chopped to $376 million. The county has 180 fewer workers, and 125 vacant positions that were eliminated. He said the county is able to make it through a harsh economy only with cooperation from the community, staff and the county council.

THE FREE HELE-ON BUS TRANSPORTATION is the pride of Kenoi, but he said buses will soon cost between 50 cents and a dollar per ride, with kupuna and students probably still riding for free. Charging a small fee for the bus could bring in some .75 million dollars, he said. The Hele-On Bus has more then 1.2 million riders a year, and the county will continue to expand the bus routes, said the mayor.

Mayor Billy Kenoi

TO SAVE MONEY AND BOLSTER CONSTRUCTION, the mayor said the building permit process has been streamlined. In the past, permitting has taken up to a year. A new procedure, called one-stop review, puts the various department representatives together in a conference room to go over an application at the same time. Combined with new computer software, the permitting time has been reduced to a month with cooperation from the state Department of Health, he said. 

SPENDING MONEY ON YOUTH is very important, the mayor said, with every dollar invested saving $7 to $11 in the future. He has kept parks and recreation facilities open during furlough Fridays.

RENEWABLE ENERGY, AGRICULTURE and the visitor industry are three of the top priorities from the mayor. He said the goal of the county is 100 percent energy self-sufficiency.
     He noted that there are now 100 kilowatts of photovoltaic power being produced at the county building and 250 kilowatts of photovoltaic at West Hawai`i Civic Center. The West Hawai`i voltaics are saving the county $60,000 a year and will sell excess energy back to the utility company.
     Kenoi said he wants to invite the energy ministers and tourism ministers to the Big Island during the next Asia Pacific Economic Conference to be held in Honolulu.
     He also talked about a U.S. Travel China summit to be held on the Big Island in October.

TO SHOW OFF THE BIG ISLAND, the mayor discussed the establishment of such events as world cliff diving championships and world standup paddle board championships.

YESTERDAY KA`U WON their last season game versus HAAS, 2-0, to advance to the BIIF playoffs on Feb. 8. Brian Simmons scored first, with Moses Espaniola adding the second goal off an assist from Derrick Medeiros-Garo. Goalie Tyler Atwood shut out the HAAS defense.

Volunteers look out to sea to count whales.

AN ANNUAL WHALE COUNT takes place tomorrow. The count, which begins at 8 a.m., provides important population and distribution information on humpback whales around the islands. To sign up, call 888-559-4253.